Self-contained cleaning device for shoe soles

Abstract

A cleaning device for shoe soles is disclosed. The cleaning device provides a surface having a plurality of bristles designed to engage the sole of a shoe. The bristles are arranged such that one or more groups of bristles are reciprocated over the length of the surface to dislodge and remove debris on the shoe sole. The debris removed from the shoe sole is also directed away from the bristles and surface into a receptacle for later removal. Thus, the cleaning device provides for effortless removal of debris from shoe soles while cleaning any debris dislodged by the bristles.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cleaning device for shoe soles comprising:
 a platform having a plurality of channels spaced apart along a length of said platform; 
 a plurality of reciprocating brushes respectively disposed in said channels and reciprocally moveable with respect to said platform; 
 a plurality of ducts respectively positioned below each of said reciprocating brushes in said channels, each of said ducts including a plurality of vents for passage of debris from said reciprocating brushes to said ducts; and 
 a debris removal assembly connected to each of said reciprocating brushes to draw debris that has collected on the platform and reciprocating brushes into said ducts via said vents and thereafter removes the debris to said debris removal assembly; 
 wherein each reciprocating brush is supported by a hollow tube defining said duct therein. 
 
     
     
       2. The cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein an upper section of said hollow tube protrudes from the channel, said upper section having said plurality of vents for passage of debris from said reciprocating brushes to said ducts. 
     
     
       3. A cleaning device for shoe soles comprising:
 a platform having a plurality of channels spaced apart along a length of said platform; 
 a plurality of reciprocating brushes respectively disposed in said channels and reciprocally moveable with respect to said platform; 
 a plurality of stationary brushes respectively disposed between said reciprocating brushes to support shoe soles and inhibit movement of the shoe sole with respect to the platform as the reciprocating brushes are reciprocated; 
 a plurality of ducts respectively positioned below each of said reciprocating brushes in said channels, each of said ducts including a plurality of vents for passage of debris from said reciprocating brushes to said ducts; 
 a drive assembly drivingly connected to each of said plurality of reciprocating brushes for reciprocating said plurality of reciprocating brushes; and 
 a debris removal assembly connected to each of said reciprocating brushes to draw debris that has collected on the platform and reciprocating brushes into said ducts via said vents and thereafter removes the debris to said debris removal assembly; 
 wherein each reciprocating brush is supported by a hollow tube defining said duct therein. 
 
     
     
       4. The cleaning device of  claim 3  wherein an upper section of said hollow tube protrudes from the channel, said upper section having said plurality of vents for passage of debris from said reciprocating brushes to said ducts. 
     
     
       5. A cleaning device for shoe soles comprising:
 a platform having a plurality of channels defined along a length of said platform; 
 a plurality of reciprocating brushes respectively disposed in said channels and reciprocally moveable with respect to said platform; 
 a plurality of stationary brushes respectively disposed between said reciprocating brushes to support shoe soles and inhibit movement of the shoe sole with respect to the platform as the reciprocating brushes are reciprocated; 
 a plurality of ducts respectively positioned below each of said reciprocating brushes in said channels, each of said ducts including a plurality of vents for passage of debris from said reciprocating brushes to said ducts; 
 a drive assembly drivingly connected to each of said plurality of reciprocating brushes for reciprocating said plurality of reciprocating brushes; 
 a debris removal assembly connected to each of said reciprocating brushes to draw debris that has collected on the platform and reciprocating brushes into said ducts via said vents and thereafter remove the debris to said debris removal assembly; and 
 a sanitizing assembly for sanitization of the shoe soles after debris is removed therefrom; 
 wherein said plurality of reciprocating brushes each comprise:
 a hollow tube defining said duct therein, said hollow tube being configured to slideably reside in one of said plurality of channels such that said reciprocating brush can be reciprocated along the length of said base, an upper section of the hollow tube providing an exposed surface having said plurality of vents for passage of debris from said reciprocating brushes to said ducts; and 
 
 a plurality of bristles disposed on said exposed surface, said plurality of bristles adapted to remove dirt and debris from the shoe sole when said reciprocating brush is reciprocated.